NVGP Stage 4 – Uptown Criterium – Minneapolis, MN

Tonight was the Uptown Criterium. The rain held off until after the event had concluded. The women’s race saw several break attempts sit out front for a while but the Peanut Butter Co/Twenty 12 team worked the front of the peloton and never let it get too far ahead. In the end things were settling down for a field sprint until 200m from getting the final bell a mid-pack crash took out nearly half the field blocking the road. With multiple ambulances on the course to tend to the down riders the stage for the women was neutralized and doesn’t count for the overall. Several riders were transported and last word is that there were no serious injuries. On the men’s side United Healthcare proves tough to beat. An early break saw a rare case of the GC leader being present and he grabbed a time bonus from the first sprint. United Healthcare patrolled the front of the race and much like Saint Paul, in the end it was a field sprint with UHC taking the top two podium spots. Here’s some photos from tonight’s action.